I found myself filled with a sense of optimism as the intense pink-orange glow of the sun broke over the horizon of Lake Superior on Saturday morning. A few minutes later, the large group of multi-layered runners headed out to the running path that follows the shoreline, and the first official long run of the 2016 Grandma’s Marathon training group was underway.
It has been 5 years since I ran a half-marathon, and life has been full in the meantime, resulting in a pretty irregular running routine. But, as our hometown marathon announced its 40th anniversary, and the commemorative lift bridge medal design and celebratory starter jackets were revealed, I decided if I was going to knock that full marathon off the bucket list, it needed to be Grandma’s Marathon. I knew from my half marathon experiences that Duluth knows how to put on a race and support every runner from the first to the last. I was not alone in this thought — after opening for registration on October 1, Grandma’s Marathon filled its 8,500 runner field by December 31.
Over 100 area runners are signed up for a local running store’s training group, some running the half marathon, and some running the full, including many first-time marathoners like myself. Three group runs are scheduled each week leading up to the June races. We Duluthians are hardy folks, as we headed out Tuesday evening for the first group run in single-digit temps on the snow-covered path.
You may be asking yourself, why!? Whether you are a runner or not, just watch the short video that the Grandma’s Marathon organization put together as registration opened, you get a glimpse of the beauty and great community support for Duluth’s marathon weekend:
Like I said, I am optimistic about this adventure. My goal is to finish, and enjoy the journey. Look for an update or two along the way.
Ciao! ~ Kat
This post was in response to the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge. “Optimistic” is this week’s theme. Everyone is welcome to join in the Challenge; further details on how to participate and links to others’ responses are found here: Optimistic.
Travel. Garden. Eat. 
18 responses to “Weekly Photo Challenge: Optimistic”
I find this post inspiring..thanks for sharing
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You’ll finish, no doubt about it. 🙂
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, John!
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great post!
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Many thanks for stopping by the blog, arv! Welcome!
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🙂
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Wow how fantastic. I am a runner too, but I’ve never been able to run half a marathon… but I am sure you are going to succeed. Good luck and have fun with training for the big event!
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Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, Noortje!
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I have eaten at Grandma’s (which I recommend), but I have never had an opportunity to run the marathon. I think some day when I’m in a bit better shape I’d like to try it; my runner friends just rave about the event.
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What a fantastic community event! Enjoy! I’m optimistic you will succeed!
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Thanks, Terry — hoping this middle-aged body can tolerate the high-mileage training! 🙂
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Work up to it slow! I’m sure you’ll be fine 🙂
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What a beautiful course. With your optimistic attitude, there is no doubt in my mind you’ll finish. Looking forward to updates!
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Isn’t the setting of the marathon amazing? So fortunate to live in such a beautiful place — have to keep telling myself that as the miles get long. Good to hear from you, Maddie!
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Have done a few halfs and the feeling of accomplishment overcomes the struggle at around mile 9! Never tried at 7 degrees tho😬😬. Have fun!
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Hoping that desire of accomplishment will get me through the infamous wall that reportedly occurs at miles 18-20! We’ll see if the almost 50 year old body parts can take all the mileage getting to the starting line ….. Good to hear from you, Tina!
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Go You! What a great post!
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Thanks, friend! 🙂
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